IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1666, 5 February 1913, Page 3

IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

$ PROBLEM OP THE PACIFIC. LOCAL NAVIES AND EXPEDITION. ARY FORCES. (By Telfffraph.-SuoclaJ Oorrcaponlont.) Auckland, February 3. Some interesting comment upon tho Hon. James Allen's statements at Homo regarding Imperial defence arid tho sharo of tho Dominions has boon given to an Auckland reporter by Mr. A. 31. Myers, M.P. lie said lie was quite sure Mr. Allen was expressing the opinion of tho majority of tho.peoplo of New' Zealand when ho said that tho full'burden of tho Pacific Fleet should bo born by those parts of tho Empire bordering on tho shores of tho Pacific Ocean. ■ "It is becoming more apparent evcrv day,".ho said, "chat the peoplo of New Zealand, as in the other self-governing Dominions, are'slowly but surelv advancing towards a more complete apprehension of their- duties and responsibilities as units of the British Empire. Wo are recognising that the principles and methods which have -served us in tho past lire failing to meet the new needs of tho twontieth century, and''that tho unification of our Empire by somo systematic, consistent; and well-planned policy is necessary,'not'only lor its defence, but for its development. Recent events have proved to tho self-governing Dominions that they may he affected in numberless ways by what goes on ontsido their own borders, and that they can no longer afford to iguoro foreign affairs. It is now generally recognised amongst us that if wo are to safeguard our national interest the defence of qur Empire can no longer' continue to ba the solo and exclusive concern of the-United Kingdom." "So far as tho problem of the Pacifio is concerned," continued Mr. Myers, "it would seem to be the boundon duty of those portions of the Empire which • are washed by the waters of that ocean, to provide a local navy for tho policing of the Pacific. .. I am entirely in favour of tho creation of local navies,'but cannot emphasise too.strongly the fact that those niust bo under one supremo. control. It is impossible for the Dominions to set up independent local navies of their own, and tit; the same time maintain the unity so vital to the continued existence of the Empire. In this connection, it seems to me that tho time has tow come when n, I start should be made with the: building of smaller. craft in our own ports, and | this refers .to tho other self-governing units of the Empire as well. . With our splendid seaboard, and our natural resources, thero is no reason why the shipbuilding industry should not flourish, here. ; "As to Mr. Allen's : remarks concerning - | tho 'expeditionary force' in which, enlistment would, of course, be entirely voluntary, I believo thero would not be tho slightest difficulty, if danger threatened our Empire, in raising a thoroughlytrained and well-equipped force. The New , Zealander comes from a race' that has always been able and willing to accept full responsibility in the past, and during the' South African War the men of this country- were not slow to give practical expression to their patriotism. Bearing that in mind, one can easily realise what it would, mean, to the Imperial authorities if we, and other parts of. the Empire,, could place at their disposal a number of trained men relative to our population, who, in combination, .would secure the maximum of defence."